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Two days ago, converted TE Ernest Wilford looked like the odd man out in the race for a spot on the 53-man roster.

But the past two mornings, Wilford is showing he’s ready to fight for one.

Wilford is catching everything coming his way and making more big plays than he did in 2008 during a miserable camp that set the tone for a three-catch season.

Maybe Wilford is pumped up for Monday’s meeting with Jacksonville, which let him explore free agency in 2008 after four seasons with the Jaguars.

Ernest Wilford is playing like someone with something to prove. (Joe Rimkus Jr. / Miami Herald)

Tony Sparano said a bit ago, Wilford simply is making the most of more opportunities in the passing game, while taking advantages of match-ups he wasn’t getting lined up as a wide receiver.

“Today he was able to get involved in some of the things that we were doing…. It’s good to see him get some kind of payback for what he’s being asked to do down there in the trenches,” Sparano said. “To see those matchups in the secondary, from a safety’s standpoint or linebacker’s standpoint with him on them, is a good evaluator.”

In 11-on-11 later in practice, WIlford made a nice move along the hashmarks to leave rookie safety Chris Clemons in the dust for a long play.

In 7-on-7, Wilford also made nice play on a deep out along the sideline against Eric Green.

With Yeremiah Bell closing in, Wilford reached back with one hand to snag a pass behind him in the flat from Chad Henne. Later in practice, Wilford made a fingertip catch out in the flat with Nate Jones closing in.

But while Wilford’s pass-catching ability was an issue last season, his blocking could be the key to him making the team as a TE.

“Work in progress,” Sparano said. “He’s getting better. It’s tough sledding down there for all those guys, but particularly for a receiver who’s making a transition. I see him getting better. He’s not afraid to put his face in there, which are good qualities.

“But fundamentally, there are some things certainly that he doesn’t know as well as some of those other tight ends that he’s catching up on.”

Rookie QB Pat White also continued to build on a nice day Friday.

White and Chad Henne handle the brunt of the reps as coaches get them ready to the majority of pre-season snaps.

One of the better plays of the day was White’s deep pass down the sideline to Anthony Armstrong, who had a couple of steps on CB Will Allen. The next play, White fired a strike over the middle, but it bounced off the hands of James Robinson, who had a couple of steps on CB Sean Smith.

White also made a perfect throw to Greg Camarilo on an out pattern – the one throw White has made with consistency for several days now. White also hit Armstrong with a deep seam route behind CB Jason Allen, with S Courtney Bryan arriving a couple of steps late.

Overall, the Dolphins’ DBs seemed to be a step or two behind a number of plays, looking like they were working at 3/4 speed, compared with the offense.

Asked if his DBs were going full speed, Sparano said, “Why, cause the offense looked decent today?” … A pretty telling comment, given how the defense has outplayed the offense much of camp.

“Every play is evaluated out there, so I’d say, yes, they were going full speed.”

There was no questioning the speed of the best-executed play of the day, a perfect toss from Henne to rookie WR Brian Hartline, who had a step on Jason Allen. Hartline caught it deep down the sideline and was able to just slip past the pylon into the end zone.

Another day, another big play by Hartline.

Here’s some more nuggets from the morning session in the practice bubble:

– Sparano seemed to be on edge from the beginning of practice.

He colorfully ripped his offensive linemen because one of them tripped Chad Pennington while he was dropping back.

“Get your (butt) going!” Sparano yelled.

A few minutes later he said, “You think we have time to waste? I’m going to cut your (butt).”

Asked if he’s a bit on edge because his team has a game in two days, Sparano quipped: “I was? Think you were just paying attention more today.”

– Once again, Shawn Murphy manned the first-team RG position, but Donald Thomas worked in on some snaps.

– Camarillo’s hands continued to amaze.

On a quick slant from Pennington, Will Allen arrived as the ball did, but Camarillo kept his concentration and gained control of the ball. Camarillo also made a leaping grab of a high throw from White on a slant, with Will Billingsley in coverage.

Camarillo might be the only Dolphin who would have made that play.

– Armstrong scored three TDs today and continues to be as good a big-play as the Dolphins have, especially with Ted Ginn Jr. becoming more and more invisible.

Armstrong not only beat both Allens, he blew by rookie first-round pick Vontae Davis and caught a long pass Henne five yards behind Davis.

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[…] [Dolphins] Dolphins TE Ernest Wilford Starting To Impress Coaches Two days ago, coverted TE Ernest Wilford looked like the odd man out in the race for a spot on the 53-man roster but the past two mornings, Wilford is showing he’s ready to fight for one. Wilford is catching everything coming his way and making more big plays than he did in 2008 during a miserable camp that set the tone for a three-catch season. Head coach Tony Sparano says that Wilford simply is making the most of more opportunities in the passing game, while taking advantages of match-ups he wasn’t getting lined up as a wide receiver. “Today he was able to get involved in some of the things that we were doing